Novel derivatives of estrane



United States Patent 2,960,805 NOVEL DERIVATIVES 0F ESTRANE David J. Marshall, Westmount, Quebec, Canada, assignor to American Home Products Corporation, New York,

N.Y., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application January 19, 1959 Serial No. 787,367 18 Claims. (Cl. ISO-397.4)

This invention relates to novel derivatives of estrane, particularly to 3,l7;8-dihydroxy-5(10),7-estradienes and to methods of preparing them from equilin methyl ether. More particularly it relates to compounds having the structural formula R OR in which R represents methyl or hydrogen in the a.- configuration and R represents hydrogen or an acyl radical of an organic carboxylic acid, and to intermediates and methods useful in the preparation of these estradienes. The methods of this invention for the preparation of compounds of the above formula apparently lead to the formation of both 3::- and 3,6- derivatives, so the products are unresolved mixtures of the 30cand 35- isomers.

As starting material for the herein-described novel syntheses I employ the steroid hormone equilin, which may be recovered from the urine of pregnant mares. I first convert the equilin (I) to its methyl ether (II) by the action of dimethyl sulfate and aqueous alkali. As a second step of my synthesis, I introduce an hydroxyl group in the 8- configuration at position 17; this may be done by reduction with lithium aluminum hydride to yield l7fl-dihydroequilin 3-methyl ether (Illa) or by reaction with methyl magnesium halide to yield 17m-methyl-dihydroequilin B-methyl ether (IIIb). As a third step, Illa or Illb is reduced with an alkali metal, preferably lithium, and alcohol in liquid ammonia to form 3-methoxy-17fi-hydroxy-2,5 10) ,7-estratriene (IVa) or 3-methoxy-17a-methyl-I7fi-hydroxy-2,5( 10) ,7-estratriene (IVb). As a fourth step, I cleave IVa or IVb with a mild acid such 'as acetic or oxalic acid to produce l7fl-hydroxy-5(10),7-estradieiie-3-one (Va) or 17a-methyl-17fl-hydroXy-5(10),7-estradiene-3-one (Vb), respectively. As a fifth step, the 3-keto group of Va or Vb is reduced with lithium aluminum hydride or sodium borohydride to yield 3,17fl-dihydroxy-5 (l0),7-estradiene (VIa) or 3,17fi-dihydroxy-l7a-methyl-5 10) ,7-estradiene (Vlb). As an optional sixth step, I may esterify VIa or VII) and thereby produce monoor diesters of these diols. Suitable esters are the acetates, propionates, acid succinates, 4,4-dimethylva1erates, oenanthates, benzoates, and phenylacetates. Especially desirable are the diesters derived from propionic and benzoic acids.

The above reactions are illustrated graphically below:

2,930,805 Patented Mar. 29, 1960 02 4 KOH HaC O i i (I LiAlH/ \gto MgX H O H Hi0 0 H IIIo III!) 1 Li,C1H 0H, NH; lLLCaH O H, NH! H OH H36 OH H30 0 H 0 0 i IVa IVb lmild acid lmild acid Va Vb LiAlHt LiAlHt (or NaBHr) (or N BBH-l) H O H H5O OH B0 H O VII: VIb l O-acylatlon I O-aeyletion Monoecylates Monoacylates or diacylates or diacylates The dihydroxyestradienes (V111 and VIb) and their esters have been found to have antiestrogenic activity.

The esters are pharmacologically equivalent to the diols VIa and VIb, are considerably less hygroscopic, and have greater storage stability against darkening under the influence of air and light. They are accordingly preferred when such greater stability is desirable.

The following examples give details of the preparation of the new compounds, but these are intended to be illustemperature, the mixture was filtered and acidified to pH 6 with 20 percent aqueous acetic acid. Addition of water precipitated the crude product which was crystallized from aqueous methanol and then from a mixture of benzene and hexane. The resulting l7a-methyl-3,17fldihydroxy-S(10),7-estradiene melted at 152162 C. in an evacuated capillary and had an optical rotation of [a];;" -+168.9 (c.=1% in dioxane).

Analysis.-Calculated for C H O C, 79.12%; H, 9.79%. Found: C, 79.41%; H, 9.72%.

Example I0.--3, 17,8-d ih ydroxy-S (10) ,7-estradiene diacetate One gram of 3,17fl-dihydroxy-5(10),7-estradiene (VIa) was dissolved in a mixture of 5 ml. of pyridine and 10 ml. of acetic anhydride, and the solution was left overnight at room temperature. The resulting crude diacetate was purified by dissolving in 1:1 benzene-petroleum ether and passing the solution through a column of 30 g. of alumina. Evaporation of the solvent then left 3,17,8- dihydroxy-5(10),7-estradiene diacetate as a colorless viscous oil, [a] '-+127.4 (c.=1% in chloroform).

Analysis.Calculated for C H O C, 73.72%; H, 8.44%. Found: C, 73.81%; H, 8.54%.

Example 1 1 .3 1 7fi-dihydroxy-5 I ,7 -estradiene dibenzoate To a solution of 1.00 g. of 3,17B-dihydroxy-(10),7- estradiene (Vla) in ml. of pyridine, cooled in an ice bath, was added 2.0 ml. of benzoyl chloride. After standing overnight at room temperature, the mixture was poured onto ice and the product was extracted with a mixture of ether and ethyl acetate. After washing with dilute hydrochloric acid, sodium bicarbonate solution, and water, the solution was dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The resulting crude dibenzoate was chromatographed on 60 g. of alumina in benzene-petroleum ether 1:4. The solid obtained from the first 100 ml. of eluate was crystallized from acetonemethanol, yielding 3,17fi-dihydroxy-5(l0),7-estradiene dibenzoate, M.P. 174.5l77.5 C.; [u] -+152.3 (c.=1% in chloroform).

Analysis-Calculated for C H O C, 79.66%; H, 7.10%. Found: C, 79.82%; H, 7.03%.

Example 12.-3, l7B-dihydr0xy-5 10) ,7-eslradiene dioenanthate 3,17fl-dihydroxy-5(10),7-estradiene (0.3 g.) in pyridine (3 ml.) was treated with n-heptanoic anhydride (1.5 ml.) overnight at room temperature. The solution was diluted with water and the resulting oil extracted with ether. The extract was washed with 3 N hydrochloric acid, 1 N sodium hydroxide and water. Evaporation of the dried solution gave a pale yellow gum which was dissolved in light petroleum (B.P. 4060 C., 40 ml.), and percolated through a short column of alumina (5 g.). Elution with benzene-ether (1:1) gave a clear gum which was treated with charcoal (solution in light petroleum) to give the product as a clear gum, [e] -+68.8 (c.=0.96% in dioxane).

Analysis.Calculated for C H O C, 77.06%; H, 10.11%. Found: C, 77.32%; H, 9.98%.

Example I3.--3,17fl-dihydr0'xy-5(I0),7-estradiene di-(4,4-d'imethylvalerate) 3,17B-dihydroxy-5(l0),7-estradiene (0.5 g) was dissolved in pyridine (1 m1.) and benzene (3 ml.), and 4,4-dimethylvaleroyl chloride (0.5 ml.) in benzene (1 ml.) was added dropwise with shaking. The reaction mixture was left at room temperature for 44 hours, diluted with benzene, washed with 1 N sodium hydroxide, 3 N hydrochloric acid, water, and dried over sodium sulfate. Evaporation gave a clear gum which was dissolved in light petroleum (B.P. 4060 C.)-benzene (1:1, 100 ml.) and percolated through a column of alumina (10 g.). Elution with the same solvent mixture gave the product as a clear gum [a] -+103.8 (c.=-l.2% in dioxane).

Analysis.Calculated for C H O C, 77.06%; H, 10.11%. Found: C, 76.96%; H, 9.85%.

Example 14.-3,17fi-dihydr0xy-5(I 0) ,7-estradiene diphenylacetate To an ice-cold solution of 3,17fl-dihydroxy-5(10),7- estradiene (0.5 g) in pyridine (1 ml.) and benzene (3 ml) was added phenylacetyl chloride (0.5 ml) in benzene (1 ml.) and the reaction was left overnight at room temperature. The solution was diluted with benzene and washed with 1 N sodium hydroxide, 3 N hydrochloric acid and water. The yellow gum obtained on evaporation of the dried solution was dissolved in benzene ml.) and percolated through a column of alumina (2.5 g.). Elution with the same solvent gave the product as a clear gum, lazi -+S3.1 (c.=l.02% in chloroform).

Analysis.--Calculated for C H O C, 80.00%; H, 7.45%. Found: C, 80.26%; H, 7.64%.

Example 15.-3, l 7fl-dihydroxy-5(10),7-estradiene dihemz'succinale 3,l7B-dihydroxy-5(10),7-estradiene (0.5 g.) in pyridine (25 ml.) was heated with succinic anhydride (0.5 g.) on the steam bath for 3 hours. A few drops of water were added and approximately 50% of the solvent removed by distillation under vacuum. The dark colored concentrate was diluted with water and extracted with ether. The ether extract was then extracted twice with 10% sodium carbonate solution, and the alkali extracts combined and acidified with 1 N hydrochloric acid. The gum which separated was extracted with ether and the extract was washed with water and dried (Na SO The brown gum obtained on evaporation was dissolved in methanol and treated with charcoal. The product was obtained on evaporation as a hard clear gum, [11], '+66 (c.=1.03% in chloroform).

Analysis.-Calculated for C H O C, 65.83%; H, 7.17%. Found: C, 66.12%; H, 6.97%.

Example 16.3,l7fi-dihydroxy-5UO) ,7-estradiene dipropionate A solution of 3,l7B-dihydr0xy-5(l0),7-estradiene (5 g.) in pyridine (50 ml.) was treated overnight with propionic anhydride (25 mL). The solution was diluted with water, extracted with ether and Washed with 3 N hydrochloric acid, 10% sodium carbonate and water. Evaporation of the dried solution (Na SO gave a cloudy gum, which was dissolved in light petroleum (200 ml.) and percolated through a column of alumina (100 g.). Elution with light petroleum-benzene (1:1) gave a clear gum (3 g.) which solidified on standing. Two crystallizations from methanol-water gave the product as colorless blades, M.P. 65-68 C. [e] -+l00 (c.=l.1% in chloroform).

Analysis.Calculated for C H O C, 74.61%; H, 8.80%. Found: C, 74.40%; H, 8.23%.

Example 17.3,I 7fi-dihydroxy-17a-methyl-5(10),7-

estradiene 3-acetate A solution of 0.15 g. of 3,l7fl dihydroxy-l7a-methyl- 5(10),7-estradiene in 2 ml. of pyridine and 2 ml. of acetic anhydride was left overnight at room temperature. The crude product obtained on evaporation in vacuo was dissolved in benzene and filtered through a column of 3 g. of alumina. 3,17/3-dihydroxy-l7a-methyl-5(l0),7-estradiene 3-acetate was obtained as a colorless glass showing hydroxyl absorption in the infrared at 3660 cm. and ester carbonyl absorption at 1738 cm.-

This application is a continuatio'n-in-part of my two earlier applications, Serial No. 715,837, filed February 17, 1958, and Serial No. 760,079, filed September 10, 1958, both of which are now abandoned.

7 8 I claim: 8. 3,17fl-dipropio'noxy-5( 10) ,7-estradiene. 1. Estrane derivatives having the formula 9. 3,176-diacetoxy-5fl0),7-estradiene.

R 10. 3,17fi-dihydroxy-5(10),7-estradiene dioenanthate.

- 11. 3,17p-dihydroxy-5( 11)),7-estradiene di-(4,4-dimeth- 5 ylvalerate).

l2. 3 l7fi-diphenylacetoxy-5( 10) ,7 -estradicne. 13. 3,17fi-dihydroxy-5( 10),7-estradiene di hemisuccinate.

14. 3-acetoxy-17;3-hydroxy-17a methyl 5(10),7 eswe 10 tradiene.

15 17 ,G-hydroxy-B-methoxy-LS 10) ,7-estratriene. in which R represents a member of the class consisting 16. 17p-hydroxy-17a-methyl-3-methoxy-2,5(10),7 esof hydrogen and methyl and in which R and R" each tratriene. represents a member of the class consisting of hydrogen 17. 17fl-hydro'xy-5(10),7-estradiene-3-one.

and the acyl radicals of hydrocarbon carboxylic acids, and 15 18. 17p-hydroxy-17a-methyl-5(10),7-estradiene-3-one. in which at least one member of the group R and R" is yg gq d t l 1 References Cited in the file of this patent l0 s accor mg 0 c arm 3. Dicstcrs according to claim 1. UNITED STATES PATENTS 4. S-monoesters according to claim 1. 20 2,781,365 Djerassi et a1. Feb. 12, 1957 5. 3,1713-dihydroxy-5 10),7-estradiene. 2,846,451 Sondheimer et a1 Aug. 5, 1958 6. 3,17,3-dihydroxy-l7m-methyl-5(10),7-estradiene. 2,846,452 Campbell et a1 Aug. 5, 1958 7. 3,17fi-dibenzoyloxy-5(10),7-estradiene. 

1. ESTRANE DERIVATIVES HAVING THE FORMULA 